THE  OJIBWAY  CONQUEST. 


THE 


OJIBVAY  CONQUEST, 


A  TALE  OF  THE  NORTHWEST. 


BY 

KAH-GE-GA-GAII-BOWH, 

OR, 
G.    COPWAY,    CHIEF    OF    TJIE    OJIBWAY    NATION. 


NEW  YORK : 

PUBLISHED  FOR  THE  AUTHOR  BY 

GEORGE  P.  PUTNAM,  155  BROADWAY. 
1850. 


Entered  according  to  .-\ct  of  Congress  in   the  year  1850,  by 
G  .    COP  W  A  Y  , 

In    the    Clerk's   Office    of  the    District    Couit    of   the   United   States   for  the 
Southern  District  of  New  York. 


C  .    W  .    BE  N  EDICT. 
Siereotyper  and  Printer, 

201  William  st. 


THIS  SHORT  SKETCH 

OF  THE 

BRAVERY    AND    PROWESS 
OF    THE 


C-1&& 

m 


is  MOST 

'  RESPECTFULLY    DEDICATED    TO 

COL.    T  .    L  .    M  c  K  I  N  N  E  Y  , 

BY    HIS    FRIEND 

K 


NOTE    TO    THE    READER. 

OF  all  the  numerous  and  populous  tribes  of  Indians 
found  inhabiting  the  northern  part  of  this  continent,  at 
the  time  of  its  discovery,  the  Sioux  and  Ojibways 
alone  retain  anything  like  their  original  character. 

Of  these  two  tribes,  or  nations,  the  Ojibways  inhabit 
principally  the  mountainous  country  about  Lake 
Superior,  extending  south  to  the  plains  of  Illinois  or 
Wisconsin,  and  on  the  west  bordering  on  that  of  the 
Sioux,  between  whom  and  they  have  had  a  bloody 
warfare.  The  Mississippi  valley  now  forms  a  common 
boundary,  with  the  exception  of  the  upper  or  the  head 
of  the  great  river.  * 

It  is  a  well-known  fact,  known  by  all  who  have 
travelled  among  them,  or  who  are  conversant  with 


Vlll  NOTE    TO    THE    READER. 

their  past  history,  and,  as  traditions  transmitted  to  the 
present  races  indicates,  that  all  the  country  lying 
south  and  west  of  the  head  of  Lake  Superior,  once 
belonged  to  the  Sioux.  By  a  constant  warfare,  carried 
on  for  a  great  many  years,  and  a  succession  of  misfor 
tunes  and  defeats,  the  Sioux  were  at  length  compelled 
to  abandon,  to  their  more  fortunate  enemies,  all  of 
their  possessions  east  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  even 
a  not  inconsiderable  portion  on  the  west  of  its  more 
northern  sources.  Tradition  says  that  the  last  decisive 
battle  was  fought  near  the  islands  of  the  south-west 
end  of  the  Superior,  known  as  the  "  Apostle  Islands," 
on  a  point  where  La  Point  now  stands.  It  is  on  this 
circumstance  that  the  following  tale  is  founded. 

This  is  given  in  a  form  which  may  be  interesting  to 
some,  \  rho  otherwise  might  not  be  interested  in  the 
nation, — whose  ever  kind  intercourse  with  the  pale 
faces  has  ever  been  apparent.  None  who  have  lived 
any  length  of  time  among  us,  could  but  have  observed 
the  manner  of  relating  historical  narrations  of  by-gone 
days  to  the  children,  as  the  Ojibways  do. 

I  am  very  glad  to  think  that  justice  has  been  done 


NOTE    TO    THE    READER.  IX 

to  them    by    many    writers,  in    their    tales,  aivd  the 
peculiar  romance  which  belong  to  them. 

A  residence  of  Teba-koo-ne-wa-we-ne-neh,  in  the 
remote  west,  originated  the  tale  which  is  now  presented 
to  the  public. 

KAII-GE-GA-GAH-BOWH, 

Ojibivay  Nation. 
NEW  YORK,  April  25,  1850. 


TO    ELIZA    . 

I  HAVE  no  words  to  tell  the  loveliness 

Which  breathes  o'er  thy  fair  form  ;  then  how  much  less 

The  bright,  the  pure,  the  beautiful,  the  blest, 

Which  wake  their  harmony  within  thy  breast. 

When  after  weary  wanderings  by  wood, 

And  lake,  and  stream,  and  mountain  wilds,  I  stood 

Upon  thy  island  home,  thy  guileless  heart 

A  healing  welcome  gave.     When  forced  to  part, 

And  the  frail  bark,  that  o'er  the  waters  bore 

Me  on  my  way  at  last  from  thy  loved  shore, 

Receded  in  the  distance  from  thy  view, 

Thy  lovely  hand  waved  a  most  sweet  adieu. 

Fair  daughter  !  accept  this  tribute  of  a  breast, 

Rich  in  thy  smiles,  hath  been  so  richly  blest. 


THE  OJIBWAY  CONQUEST, 


THE    ST.    LOUIS. 

THERE  is  a  stream  that  hath  its  rise 

Beneath  the  veil  of  northern  skies, 

Where  frosts,  and  snows  eternal  meet 

In  wild  array  the  wanderer's  feet, 

And  all,  above,  beneath,  around, 

Is  fast  in  icy  fetters  bound ; 

A  gloomy,  wild,  a  dreary  waste 

As  ever  the  eye  of  man  embraced  ; 

Where  shrub, — if  shrub  perchance  be  there, 

Blooms  not  as  elsewhere,  fresh  and  fair  ; 

But  stinted,  bare,  and  small  of  growth, 

It  nestles  to  the  earth  as  loath 

To  spread  its  branches  where  the  breeze 


12  THE    0  JIB  WAY    CONQUEST. 

"Which  passes,  kisses  but  to  freeze  ; 

And  if  a  flower  should  rear  its  head 

From  such  inhospitable  bed, 

When  thawing  snows  may  yield  a  day 

To  summer  sun's  resistless  sway, 

It  is  a  flower  which  doth  not  blight  (') 

By  frosts  that  clothe  its  leaves  in  white, 

But  smiles  e'en  from  its  bed  of  snow, 

•Like  Hope  upon  the  lap  of  Woe. 

The  reindeer  there,  roams  fleet  and  free, 

And  men  as  wild  and  fleet  as  he, — 

Though  small  in  size,  of  iron  mould, — 

No  fear  of  storms, — no  thought  of  cold, — 

With  limbs  unchilled,  unslackened  pace, 

They  fleetly  follow  in  the  chase, 

From  dawn  till  twilight,  paints  the  west,  (2) 

Without  a  moment  lent  to  rest, — 

Then  stretched  at  length  upon  the  snows, 

Till  morn  they  find  a  sweet  repose. 

Ah  !  little  knows  the  child  of  ease, — 
Whom  everything  is  culled  to  please, 
To  whose  convenience  every  shore, 
From  North  and  South  must  yield  its  store, 


THE    0  JIB  WAY    CONQUEST.  13 

And  o'er  whose  well  protected  form 

There  never  beats  the  freezing  storm, — 

Ah  !  little  knows  he  of  the  woes 

"Which  gather  round  the  life  of  those 

Who  live,  in  nature's  rudest  mood, 

In  these  deep  haunts  of  solitude, — 

For  though  the  tempest's  power  hath  wrought, 

To  their  bold  minds,  with  danger  fraught, 

Though  youth  and  manhood,  and  old  age 

Succeed  in  their  accustomed  stage, 

The  body  bared  to  every  wind, — 

The  chase  that  leaves  the  deer  behind. — 

The  frequent  want,  the  frequent  fast, 

Break  up  life's  healthful  flow  at  last, 

And  leave  a  wreck  'tis  dread  to  see, 

Of  what  was  once  so  bold  and  free. 


II. 


THE    STREAM. 

"  THOU  fair  St.  Louis  !  such  the  scene  (^) 

From  which  thy  waters  flow  ; 
But  different  far  the  land  of  green 

To  which  from  thence  they  go, — 
For  many  a  long,  long  mile  they  speed, 

Through  fairer,  brighter  lands, 
Tranquil  and  free  like  a  noble  steed 

Unchecked  by  rider's  hands  ; 
From  their  far  source  to  where  they  pour 

Into  bright  Superior's  side, 
All  is  wild  nature  on  thy  shore, — 

Man  hath  not  curbed  thy  tide  ; — 
But  on  thou  flowest  in  thy  might 

Untainted  as  when  God 
First  called  thee  sparkling  unto  light, 

At  his  creative  nod. 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  15 

The  vale  through  which  thy  waters  sweep, — 

The  forest  shade,  the  craggy  steep, — 

The  cataract  whose  thunder  fills 

The  echoes  of  an  hundred  hills, 

The  deep  ravine,  the  precious  mine, 

Whose  ores  beneath  thy  current  shine, 

Such  is  the  path  thy  waters  take, 

Ere  lost  within  the  Ocean  Lake. 

0  !  often  on  thy  limpid  stream, 

Hid  from  the  noon  tide's  sultry  beam, 

By  trees,  whose  giant  branches  cast 

A  deep  shade  o'er  me  as  I  passed, 

Hath  my  light  bark  now  danced  along 

To  music  of  some  carolled  song, — 

Or  floating,  like  the  lightest  bird, 

It  only  with  the  current  stirred, 

While  I  have  passed  hour  after  hour, 

Beneath  the  scene's  enchanting  power, — 

The  sweetest  perfume  on  the  air 

From  thousand  wild  flowers  growing  there, — 

And  colors  of  the  brightest  hue 

On  every  side  that  met  the  view ; 

The  wild  rose,  with  its  sw  eets  beguiling 


16  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

Along  the  shore  so  brightly  smiling, 
Whose  petals  falling  on  the  wave, 
Their  own  hue  to  the  current  gave  ; — 
The  mellow  light  of  different  dyes 
Which  came  from  forest  shaded  skies  : — 
The  stillness,  over  all  that  dwelt, 
So  deep  it  could  almost  be  felt  ; — 
All  these  have  held  me  many  a  day 
A  willing  captive  to  their  sway. 

0,  who  that  has  a  heart  to  feel, 
Would  barter  one  such  hour  as  this, 

For  all  the  gay  world  can  reveal, 
Or  all  it  ever  knew  of  bliss  ! 

Pleasures  !  in  vain  the  precious  gem 
Ye  seek  in  fashion's  heartless  throng, — 

Ask  those  who  seek  there,  ask  them 
Who  sought  the  floating  phantom  long. 

There's  not  a  joy  that  throng  can  give, 
Which  does  not  cost  a  pang  more  deep  ; 

There's  not  a  pleasure  it  bids  live, 
But  lulls  some  virtue  into  sleep. 


III. 

THE    DANCE. 

MANY  a  year  lias  passed  away 

Since  at  the  close  of  summer's  day 

Upon  a  green  and  level  side 

"Which  overlooks  St.  Louis'  tide 

A  noble  band  of  warriors  stood 

Who  roam  at  will  this  solitude. 

The  bow,  the  spear,  the  barbed  dart, 

Which  errs  not  pointed  at  the  heart, 

The  paint  in  earnest  colors  spread, 

Not  for  maid's  love,  but  foeman's  dread, 

The  plumes  which  in  their  raven  hair 

Waved  graceful  at  each  breath  of  air, — 

The  trophies  in  their  battles  taken, 

When  foeman's  prowess  had  been  shaken,- 


18  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

Each  warrior  there,  was  decked  with  these,  (4) 

Profuse  as  summer  decks  the  trees. 

The  foremost  of  this  hero  band 

A  standard  carried  in  his  hand, 

Which  from  its  waving  top  displayed 

A  flag  most  curiously  made 

From  feathers  of  the  wild  bird's  wing,  (5) 

Of  every  shade  of  coloring. 

He  was  a  youth,  in  whom  combined 

All  that  was  bright,  in  form  and  mind  ; 

The  noble  forehead,  broad  and  high, 

The  soul  that  shone  within  his  eye, 

The  thoughts  which  o'er  his  features  played 

With  quick  and  ever  varying  shade, 

The  limbs  where  strength  was  seen  to  dwell 

In  every  full  and  graceful  swell, 

Distinguished  him  as  one  of  those 

Where  nature's  fairest  gifts  repose, — 

ME-GI-SI,*  such  the  name  he  bore, 

The  Eagle  of  the  Lonely  Shore, 

And  as  he  planted  in  the  ground 

That  pinion's  shaft  amid  the  sound 

*  Name  of  the  eagle. — OJIBWAY  LANGUAGE 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  19 

Of  drum,  and  song,  and  echoing  shout,  (6) 
He  looked  like  Mars  himself  come  out 
To  take,  as  in  the  days  of  yore. 
The  van  upon  the  field  of  gore. 
Around  this  shaft  with  measured  pace 
Each  warrior  found  a  ready  place, 
And  soon  the  circling  folds  advance 
And  mingling  in  the  wild  war-dance, 
While  ever  and  anon  a  loud 
And  piercing  whoop  rose  from  the  crowd, 
lending  its  accents,  shrill  and  clear, 
In  answering  echoes  far  and  near ; — 
And  when  they  died  in  air  away, 
Each  warrior  in  that  dread  array 
Stood  like  a  statue  planted  deep, 
So  still  and  firm  their  track  they  keep  ; 
While  at  each  pause  a  brave  advanced 
Within  the  ring,  then  round  him  glanced, 
And  in  rude  eloquence  portrayed 
The  havoc  he  in  war  had  made, 
The  feats  of  bravery  he  had  done,  (7) 
The  scalps  from  slaughtered  victims  won, 
As  well  of  fallen  warrior  bold, 


20  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

As  wife  and  child,  of  these  he  told, 
And  as  he  held  them  out  to  view, 
Some  of  them  yet  of  fresh  blood  hue, 
And  raised  the  war  whoop  loud  and  high, 
With  swelling  breast  and  flashing  eye, 
He  seemed  again  amid  the  strife 
"With  which  his  tale  had  been  so  rife — 
That  morn  had  pealed  the  rolling  drum 
Amid  the  cry  "  They  come  !  They  come  ! 
The  Sioux  !  The  Sioux  !"  And  at  the  sound, 
Each  warrior's  foot  was  on  the  ground, 
And  knife  to  knife,  and  breast  to  breast, 
The  doubtful  strife  they  long  contest. — 
They  fought  as  though  their  blood  were  water, 
Resumed  again  when  ceased  the  slaughter, 
They  fought  like  men  whose  deadly  hate 
Nothing  but  death  could  satiate. 
The  Sioux  at  length  were  forced  to  yield 
And  leave  to  foe  a  hard-earned  field — 
Some  fled  and  some  were  captive  led, 
Better  to  have  been  with  the  dead, — 
Better  by  far,  for  though  to-night 
They  have  from  death  a  brief  respite, 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

They're  not  deceived,  for  well  they  know 
To-morrow  comes  the  fatal  blow, 
It  comes  with  all  the  cruel  art 
Hate  can  invent  to  wring  the  heart, 
When  should  it  quail  or  yield  to  fear, 
They  die  without  a  pitying  tear, — 
They  die  and  meet  the  recreant's  end, 
Despised  alike  by  foe  and  friend. 


IV. 

THE   WEN  D  I  GO. 

THE  dance  is  o'er — the  revel  past, 
And  of  that  savage  host  the  last 

O 

Hath  thrown  himself  upon  the  ground 
And  his  accustomed  slumber  found. 
Close  by  their  side  the  captives  slept, 
And  watch  or  guard  there  none  was  kept, 
For  hand  and  foot  securely  tied, 
Vain  were  the  effort,  had  they  tried, 
To  shake  from  off  their  limbs  the  thong 
Which  bound  them  in  its  folds  so  strong  ; 
Vain,  did  I  say  ; — no,  one  was  there, 
Who,  though  the  bands  he  knew  to  wear, 
While  eye  of  foe  was  on  him  bent, — 
And  to  his  skill  a  caution  lent, — 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  23 

When  watchful  eyes  were  sunk  to  rest, 

And  measured  breathings  heaved  the  breast, 

Could  tear  those  shackles  from  his  flesh, 

As  easy  as  the  spider's  mesh.     (8) 

The  frosts  of  many  winters  sped 

Had  left  their  traces  upon  his  head, — 

His  life,  which  passed  in  constant  wars, 

Had  marked  him  with  a  thousand  scars,- 

But  every  iron  muscle  told 

That  vigor  had  not  yet  grown  old. 

He  might  have  lost  youth's  spring  and  grace, 

But  strength  had  well  supplied  their  place. 

Whether  by  force  or  magic  spell 

He  burst  his  shackles,  none  could  tell , 

Yet  never,  but  for  one  brief  hour, 

Had  they  upon  his  limbs  a  power. 

Among  his  native  brethren  famed 

For  many  years  he  had  been  named 

For  feats  of  strength  and  wondrous  art, — 

The  WEN  DI  GO  OF  ICY  HEART.      (^) 

In  the  day's  strife  of  ancient  foes, 

To  which  this  night  had  brought  a  close, 

His  heavy  blows,  which  fell  like  rain, 


24  THE    0  JIB  WAY    CONQUEST. 

Had  worked  his  way  with  heaps  of  slain. 
Through  yielding  ranks  he  held  his  place, 
Till  like  a  rock  at  whose  firm  base 
The  ocean  breaks  in  murmurs  hoarse, 
ME-GI-SI  checked  his  onward  course. 
As  springs  the  tiger  on  his  prey 
When  pressed  by  hunger,  so  sprang  they  ; — 
Reckless  of  all  that  might  oppose, 
They  rushed  upon  each  others  blows, 
And  grappled  with  a  force  they  feel 
To  which  the  grasp  of  vice  of  steel 
"Would  be  an  infant's  touch.     The  knife 
Then  flashes  quick  in  deadly  strife. 
They  fought  as  though  on  them  alone 
The  fortunes  of  the  day  were  thrown. 
They  fought  as  if  they  proudly  felt 
On  no  mean  foe  their  blows  were  dealt. 
Each  nerve  to  its  last  tension  wrought — 
Like  meeting  thunder-bolts  they  fought. 
The  "WEN  DI  GO'S  superior  strength 
O'ercame  youth's  suppleness  at  length, 
And  while  ME-GI-SI  freely  bleeds, 
He  of  the  icy  heart  succeeds  ; 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  25 

His  blade  is  raised  to  strike  the  blow. 
The  last  he  need  to  strike,  when  lo ! 
His  threatening  arm  all  sudden  stops, 
And  down  as  by  a  palsy  drops ; 
He  stood  a  moment  fixed  and  still, 
Then  yielded  at  ME-GI-SI'S  will ; 
And  captive  now  and  captor  keeping 
Side  by  side  are  calmly  sleeping. 

Midnight  had  passed,  and  there  they  lay 
In  rest  unbroke,  that  warrior  band ; — 
The  powerful  conflict  of  the  day 
Had  now  relaxed  each  iron  hand. 
The  moon,  too,  now  had  sunk  to  rest 
Behind  the  hills  which  skirt  the  west, 
And  damp  mists  from  the  river  rose, 
And  o'er  the  banks  in  circles  close. 
A  silence  deep  was  over  all 
Except  the  noisy  waterfall, 
That,  indistinct  by  distance,  fell 
Alternately  in  ebb  and  swell, 
When  hush  !  a  careful  hand  is  pressed 
Upon  the  brave  ME-GI-SI'S  breast. 
The  touch  awoke  him  quick  as  thought ; 


26  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

He  sprang  upon  his  feet  and  caught 

"Within  one  hand  his  ready  blade, 

The  other  on  the  foeman  laid  ; 

But  when  he  saw  in  what  calm  mood 

The  WEN-DI-GO  before  him  stood, 

He  did  not  strike,  but  for  a  space 

They  looked  within  each  other's  face, — - 

ME-GI-SI  with  a  blended  feeling 

Of  awe  and  wonder  o'er  him  stealing, 

And  which  he  could  not  all  conceal 

By  the  dim  light  the  stars  reveal,— 

Sternness  and  dignity  alone 

Upon  the  other's  features  shone. 

The  WEN-DI-GO  the  silence  broke, 

As  scarce  above  his  breath  he  spoke, 

"  Youth  are  you  brave  !  ffhen  follow  me  ;" 

Thus  saying,  turning  carefully, 

And  with  a  step  that  had  no  sound, 

To  wake  the  foe  men  sleeping  round, 

He  passed — and  striding  on  before, 

Pursued  the  winding  trail  that  bore 

Through  wild  grass  of  a  growth  most  rank 

Along  the  river's  sloping  bank. 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  27 

ME-GI-SI  for  a  moment  cast 
His  eyes  upon  him  as  he  passed, — 
Irresolute  then  quickly  sped 
Along  the  track  the  other  led, 
And  now  by  the  dim  starlight  they 
Together  hold  their  silent  way. 


V. 


THE    CAVE. 

A  LEAGUE  was  passed,  yet  on  they  went, — 
Whate'er  their  thoughts,  they  had  no  vent ; 
But  mute  they  still  their  way  pursued, 
Deeper  within  the  solitude. 

At  length  the  youth  impatient  grown, 
Paused  and  exclaimed  in  no  slight  tone — 
"  That  I  am  brave  no  longer  thou 
Canst  doubt  from  what  thou  seest  now, — 
If  thou  hadst  not  that  lesson  learned 
By  yesterday's  experience  earned. 
The  distance  now  precludes  all  fear 
Of  treacherous  band  or  listening  ear, 
Then  tell  thy  wish  what  e'er  it  be, 
Thou'll  find  no  coward  heart  in  me, — 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  29 

Speak  !  or  this  knife  may  shame  to  wear 
Another  sheath  than  that  I  bear." 
"  Peace,  fool,"  replied  the  WEN-DI-GO, 
As  quick  he  turned  and  struck  a  blow 
That  sent  the  spinning  blade  so  well 
They  could  not  hear  it  where  it  fell. 
"  Check  thy  hot  blood,  nor  deem  that  I 
Have  brought  thee  here  for  treachery. — 
Think  you,  had  I  desired  your  life, 
Ere  you  awoke  could  not  my  knife 
Have  borne  to  your  unconscious  breast 
The  blow  that  brings  eternal  rest  ? 
I  have  a  tale  will  pierce  thy  heart 
Worse  than  a  foeman's  barbed  dart, — 
Doubt  not,  but  follow  me,"  and  then 
Turned  and  pursued  the  trail  again, — 
Nor  long  pursued  before  around 
A  bold  and  rocky  point  it  wound, 
Which  sent  its  craggy  summit  high 
Aloft  into  the  dusky  sky, 
And  terminated  in  a  cove 
Formed  by  the  arching  rocks  above. 
Here  entered  they,  and  on  a  rock, 


30  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

Torn  from  the  roof  by  some  rude  shock, 

They  took  their  seat.     A  wilder  spot 

Throughout  the  universe  is  not 

As  this  which  now  their  steps  had  found, 

Than  that  by  which  they  were  surround. 

Far,  far  away  beneath  the  ground 

There  came  a  hoarse  and  gurgling  sound 

Of  water  into  fury  lashed, 

As  o'er  some  precipice  'twere  dashed  , — 

The  owl,  scared  by  their  entrance,  fled, 

And  screamed  its  notes  above  their  head  ; — 

Lank  wolves,  whose  den  the  cave  had  been, 

Prowled  round  them  as  they  entered  in, — 

While  just  without  the  cavern's  door, 

The  waters  of  St.  Louis  roar, 

As  o'er  the  dizzy  fall  they  flow  ; 

And  then  an  hundred  feet  below, 

With  deafening  sound  they  break  and  boil 

In  endless  strife  and  wild  turmoil. 

"  Here  in  this  dark  and  gloomy  grot," — 

The  WEN-DI-GO  began, — "  a  spot 

Where  oft,  'tis  said,  the  Manitou 

Unveils  himself  to  human  view. 


THE    0  JIB  WAY    CONQUEST.  31 

And  smiles  or  frowns  as  he  discovers 
Of  truth  or  falsehood  they  are  lovers  ; — 
Here  let  me  rest  while  I  disclose 
A  tale  may  leave  us  no  more  foes, 
And  the  Great  Spirit  do  by  me 
As  I  shall  deal  in  truth  with  thee. 

You  wonder  that  I  brought  you  here, 
But  ah  !  you  know  not  half  how  dear 
Is  this  wild  spot  to  me.     Strange  chance 
Which  brings  again  within  my  glance 
The  scenes  where  long,  long  winters  past, 
When  the  quiet  blood  of  youth  flowed  fast, 
I  wandered  with  my  bow  well  strung 
And  quiver  o'er  my  shoulders  flung, 
And  if  my  arrow  rightly  sped 
When  pointed  at  the  wild  bird's  head, 
Whatever  fortune  might  betide, 
My  merry  heart  was  satisfied. 
Here,  too,  in  after  years  I  roved 
In  fondness  with  the  bride  I  loved  ; — 
This  was  our  home,  till  that  foul  day 
When  the  accursed  Ojibway 
Rushed  down  upon  us,  scattering  death 


32  THE    O  JIB  WAY    CONQUEST. 

Like  Evil  Spirit's  poisoned  breath, 
And  with  false  heart  and  bloody  hand 
Drove  us  from  our  paternal  land. 
Thou  knowest  well  the  hatred  strong 
Hath  dwelt  between  our  nations  lon°\ 

O  7 

And  from  this  land  where  now  you  see 

The  curs'd  Ojibway  roving  free, 

Thou  knowest  by  that  hated  race 

The  Sioux  was  torn  till  not  a  place 

By  stream  or  mountain  now  is  left 

Of  which  he  hath  not  been  bereft. 

Strange  chance  !     Upon  that  very  steep 

Where  those  we  left  so  lately,  sleep, 

My  wigwam  stood.     My  bride  as  bright 

As  the  unclouded  moon  at  night ; — 

Ahpuckways  from  rushes  wove  (") 

And  sung  sweet  notes  which  spake  of  love,— 

While  o'er  the  grass  with  prattling  joy 

Gambolled,  with  happy  heart,  our  boy. 

It  was  a  bright  and  summer's  day ; — 

They  were  alone,  I  was  away 

Upon  the  wild  deer's  track.     Night  fell 

And  I  returned,  but  who  can  tell 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  33 

The  anguish  of  that  hour  !     I  came 

To  see  my  wigwam  in  a  flame, — 

My  wife  was  slain, — the  purple  tide 

Was  oozing  yet  warm  from  her  side, 

But  still  so  sweet  was  that  faint  smile 

Which  shone  upon  her  face  the  while, 

I  could  not  deem  her  dead,  but  flung 

Myself  upon  the  ground,  and  clung 

To  her  loved  side,  kissing  away 

The  crimson  drops  of  blood  that  lay 

Sprinkled  upon  her  pallid  cheeks  ; 

And  then  in  wild  and  broken  shrieks 

I  fondly  Called  upon  her  name  ; — 

I  kissed  her  lips  ;  but  closed  in  death 

Those  lips  from  which  there  came  no  breath. 

I  sought  my  boy,  but  he  was  gone, 

And  I  in  anguish  and  alone, 

Stood  like  an  oak.     The  thunder  bird 

Had  riven  at  the  spirit's  word.     (12) 

Till  that  day  passion's  fearful  blast 

Had  never  o  er  my  spirit  passed. — 

No  angry  strife,  no  withering  care, 

No  burning  curse  had  entered  there  : 


34  THE    O  JIB  WAY    CONQUEST. 

My  bricfe,  my  boy,  they  were  the  springs 
That  ever  moved  my  spirit's  wings. — 
But  as  I  stood  and  wept  to  view 
Her  own  heart's  blood,  my  bride  bedew, 
And  thought  upon  the  hated  foe 
Whose  arm  had  dealt  the  scathing  blow, 
Dark  thoughts  within  my  soul  found  place 
In  strange  and  lightening-like  embrace. 
Horror  and  anguish,  and  despair 
Alone  at  first  were  mingled  there, 
But  these  full  soon  gave  place  to  one 
Deep,  burning  passion,  which  alone 
Took  full  possession  of  my  breast. 
Revenge  !  Revenge  !     How  I  caressed 
The  darling  thought. — All  else  that  life 
Deems  worthy  of  a  mortal's  strife. 
Was  swallowed  up  in  this  wild  thirst 
For  vengeance  on  the  foe  accursed. 
I  knelt  upon  the  turf  beside 
The  murdered  body  of  my  bride, 
And  with  one  hand  upon  her  head, 
The  other  with  the  warm  blood  red, 
There  in  the  presence  of  the  dead, 


VI. 


THE     COUNCIL. 

UPON  a  mountain  whose  high  peak 
The  very  heavens  seems  to  seek 
Which  rises  on  the  southern  shore 
And  looks  Superior's  waters  o'er, 
Are  gathering  now  the  few  who  fled, 
When  yesterday  so  illy  sped. 
Though  the  gray  dawn  of  morn  appeared, 
Ere  from  the  cave  their  course  they  steered, 
And  many  a  long  mile  lay  between 
This  place  and  where  the  strife  had  been, 
The  gathered  ranks  already  show 
ME-GI-SI  and  the  WEN-DI-GO. 

Quickly  they  come  and  silent  me( 


\ 


40  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

Without  a  word  or  look  to  greet, — 
But  each  as  up  the  steep  he  wound, 
Threw  himself  mutely  on  the  ground, 
Till  of  that  scattered  band  the  last 
Had  to  his  place  in  silence  passed. 
No  darkly  agitating  trace 
Could  be  discovered  in  the  face 
Of  ardent  youth  or  furrowed  age 
To  tell  of  passion's  inward  rage, — 
But,  every  brow  was  calm  and  stern, 
Whatever  smothered  fires  might  burn 
The  WEN-DI-GO,  to  whom  the  lead, 
As  well  in  council  as  in  deed, 
Had  long  been  given  as  his  due, 
For  wisdom,  deep,  and  courage  true, 
Slowly  arose.     There  was  no  burst 
Of  passion  in  his  words  at  first. 
Bat  calmly  over  each  event 
That  marked  their  recent  strife  he  went, 
And  e'en  his  voice  grew  sadly  mild 
As  his  words  turned  upon  his  child 
Whom  the  great  Monitou,  he  said. 
Had  now  restored  as  from  the  dead, 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  41 

From  which  the  cheering  hope  he  drew, 

Although  their  numbers  might  be  few, 

The  Monitou  was  still  their  friend, 

And  would  not  fail  them  in  the  end, 

A  hallowed  cause  like  theirs  to  bless 

With  signal  and  complete  success. — 

But  when  he  dwelt  upon  the  wrong 

Which  they  had  now  endured  so  long 

From  the  foul  race  of  Ojibway, 

And  pointed  to  the  land  that  lay 

Far  as  the  eye  around  could  roam, 

And  told  them,  that  was  once  their  home, 

But  home  from  which  they  were  expelled, 

And  now  by  hated  foemen  held, — 

The  powers  which  in  his  bosom  reigned, 

But  which  till  then  he  had  restrained, 

Burst  forth  and  like  Heaven's  lightning  glowed, 

While  every  working  feature  showed 

The  fearful  torrent-like  control 

Which  passion  held  within  his  soul. 

Like  fire  when  o'er  the  prairies  rushing 

Or  torrents  from  a  mountain  gushing, 

The  impulse  of  his  own  was  pressed 


42  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

With  light-like  speed  from  breast  to  breast. 

No  bosom  there  but  was  on  fire, 

No  heart  which  did  not  glow  with  ire ; 

And  when  he  ceased,  in  such  dread  yell 

Upon  the  air  their  warwhoop  fell. 

The  wild  beast  from  his  covert  fled, 

The  wild  birds  screamed  above  their  head, 

And  long  when  from  their  lips  it  died, 

It  echoed  down  the  mountain's  side. 

A  free  discussion  then  arose 
For  every  warrior  to  propose 
What  to  each  one  might  seem  to  show 
The  best  advantage  o'er  the  foe. 

At  no  great  distance  to  the  right. 
And  only  hidden  from  their  sight 
By  rocky  bluffs,  which  ledge  on  ledge 
Abrupt  rose  in  the  water's  edge, 
Within  a  large  and  quiet  bay 
A  clustering  group  of  islands  lay. 
Here  scattered  o'er  the  banks  of  green, 
And  shady  groves,  there  might  be  seen 
Many  a  lodge  whose  bark  so  white  («) 
Was  sending  back  the  noonday  light. 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  43 

Upon  these  isles  the  Ojibway, 

Since,  from  their  homes  they  drove  away 

The  conquered  Sioux,  had  dwelt  secure, 

And  deeming  them  at  once  a  sure 

And  safe  retreat,  had  gathered  all 

Incessant  warfare  did  not  call. 

To  deeds  from  deeds  already  done, 

To  keep  the  land  thus  foully  won. 

To  this  fair  spot  each  thought  was  turned, 

And  every  warrior's  bosom  burned 

To  win  again  those  long-lost  isles 

And  live  within  their  quiet  smiles. 

Here  then  each  heart  resolved  as  soon 

As  reached  to-morrow's  sun  its  noon, 

To  strike  a  blow  should  free  the  land 

From  the  accursed  foemen's  hand, 

Or  fighting  till  the  last  was  slain, 

Leave  their  hearts'  blood  upon  the  plain. 


VII. 


THE     SACRIFICE. 

THE  day  that  dawned  upon  the  foe, 

ME-GI-SI  and  the  WEN-DI-GO 

Had  left  while  all  unconscious  rest 

Was  reigning  over  every  breast, 

Awoke  the  encampment's  busy  hum, 

And,  at  the  sound  of  signal  drum, 

The  warriors  gathered  round  their  chief, 

Whose  look  was  stern,  whost-  words  were  brief. 

He  waved  his  hand,  and  quick  as  thought 

A  shaft  of  stoutest  oak  was  brought 

And  planted  firmly  in  the  ground  ; — 

To  this  with  wending  thongs  were  bound 

The  captives  whose  unhappy  fate, 

Must  gratify  their  captor's  hate. 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  45 

And  where  is  he  who  always  bore 
The  foremost  honors  heretofore, — 
And  where  the  noble  captive  he 
Had  led  in  their  late  victory  ? 
Strange  that  he  comes  not,  he,  whose  hand 
Was  ever  first  to  light  the  brand, 
And  by  whom  were  the  victors  tied ; — 
None  ever  knew  the  knots  to  slide. 
ME-GI-SI,  favorite  of  all, 
Why  comes  he  not  at  comrades  call  ? — 
And  why  lays  he  the  rest  behind, 
While  other  hands  the  victories  bind  ? — 
These  are  the  questions  rapidly 
From  lip  to  lip  are  heard  to  fly. 
By  the  Ojibway  'tis  believed 
That  when  a  mortal  hath  received 
A  vigorous  and  fearful  fast, 
And  day  and  night  in  watching  passed, 
And  who  hath  long  withdrawn  his  mind 
From  all  communion  with  his  kind, 
And  hath  within  the  forest's  shade 
His  home  with  evil  spirits  made, 
Learning  from  them  each  magic  art 


46  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

Which  their  instruction  can  impart, 
And  hath  his  heart  darkly  imbued 
With  all  of  ill,  and  naught  of  good, — 
These  do  a  fearful  power  instil 
Beyond  all  merely  human  skill, 
Freedom,  at  will  the  form  to  change, 
The  water,  earth,  or  air  to  range, — 
And  most  of  all  they  strangely  give 
Desire  on  human  flesh  to  live. 
Thus  when  an  hour  or  more  is  sped, 
And  still  no  trace  of  either  fled, 
They  doubt  not  that  the  haughty  Sioux, 
With  whom  ME-GI-SI  had  to  do, 
Was  one  of  these,  and  deem  full  well 
Their  favorite  by  his  magic  fell. 
The  unhallowed  rites  no  longer  wait, 
Their  thirst  for  blood  to  satiate, 
But  with  redoubled  zeal  are  made, 
Because  unwillingly  delayed. — 
Nothing  their  vengeance  could  suggest 
To  daunt  the  heart  or  wring  the  breast, 
But  was  prepared  with  savage  art 
In  the  dire  scene  to  bear  a  part. — 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  47 

The  faggots  at  the  victim's  feet, 
The  scourge  their  naked  flesh  to  beat, 
The  arrows  of  the  pine  well  dried, 
The  bow  to  hurl  them  in  their  side, 
And  as  the  flames  around  them  rise, 
Burning  to  aid  their  agonies  ; — 
Tortures  like  these  they  do  not  lack 
The  victim's  outward  sense  to  rack  ; — 
But  more  tormenting  far  are  those 
Designed  to  wake  his  inward  throes, — 
The  taunts,  the  gibe,  the  goading  sneer, 
The  insulting  charge  of  coward  fear, 
Imbecile  strength  the  bow  to  bend, 
And  erring  skill  the  shaft  to  send, 
A  soul  which  could  not  look  on  pain, 
And  hands  which  had  no  foeman  slain, 
Limbs  bowed  with  grief  and  not  with  years, 
And  eyes  which  shone,  but  not  with  tears  ; — 
Such  were  the  taunts  upon  them  hurled, 
As  o'er  their  forms  the  hot  blaze  curled. 

What  sounds  are  those  that  fill  the  air, 
Above  all  others  echoing  there, 
As  doth  the  cataract's  loud  roar, 


48  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

The  brook  which  murmurs  at  its  shore, 
Or  thunders  bursting  through  the  sky, 
The  owlets  hoarse  and  startled  cry  ? 
It  is  the  victim's  death-song  shout 
Which  burst  from  their  firm  bosoms  out, 
Casting  defiance  at  their  foes, 
And  mocking  at  the  torturing  throes 
Their  thirsty  vengeance  would  bestow  ; — 
The  hissing  flames  which  round  them  glow 
To  break  their  courage  have  no  power, 
But  as  exulting  as  in  hour 
When  victory  hath  wreathed  their  brow, 
Is  the  bold  shout  they  put  forth  now. 
The  noble  deeds  they  have  performed, 
The  noble  thoughts  their  hearts  have  warmed, 
The  sunset  land,  so  bright  and  fair, 
Which  waits  to  bid  them  welcome  there  ; — 
These  are  the  burden  of  their  song 
Which  swells  in  such  proud  notes  along. 
Brave  Sons  of  Nature  !     Ye  need  not, 
To  make  you  at  this  moment  what 
Hath  been,  will  be,  while  time  succeeds, 
And  hearts  alive  to  noble  deeds, — 


THE    O  JIB  WAY    CONQUEST.  4Q 

The  admiration  of  mankind, 
Ye  need  not  in  the  mazes  wind 
Of  the  philosophy  of  schools, 
To  teach  you  the  eternal  rules 
Of  fortitude  and  self-control 
And  all,  which  doth  exalt  the  soul. 

Fainter  and  fainter, — yet  still  clear 
That  death-song  falls  upon  the  ear 
Of  those  who  dance  around  the  fires, 
Where  bravery  such  as  this  expires. 
At  length  each  victim's  voice  is  still 
And  vengeance  now  hath  drank  its  fill. 

The  fires  are  out,  the  warriors  gone, — 
And,  MO-NING-WUN-AH  ere  the  sun 
Sinks  to  his  couch  behind  the  west, 
Their  barks  upon  thy  shores  shall  rest. 


VIII. 

THE    LOVERS. 

THE  sun  had  set, — the  clouds  which  fringed 
The  sky  were  gorgeously  tinged 
"With  gold,  and  purple,  and  all  dyes 
Which  make  the  summer  sunset  skies 
So  lovely,  and  whose  rays  impart 
To  every  impulse  of  the  heart 
Such  chastened,  hallowed  thoughts,  as  are 
Akin  to  the  soft  light  which  there 
Beams  forth  so  beautifully  bright, 
Sweet  herald  of  approaching  night ! 
O'er  the  calm  waters  of  the  bay, 
Where  the  Ojibway  Island  lay, 
Those  rays  are  glanced  in  many  a  track 
To  the  bright  clouds,  which  send  them  batjk 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  51 

Beneath  the  waters  where  they  glow, 
Forming  a  mimic  heaven  below. 
Oh  !  that  such  hallowed  scenes  as  this 
Should  ever  look  on  ought  but  bliss  ! 
When  the  fond  soul  hath  felt  the  power 
Of  this  enchanting,  soothing  hour 
To  wipe  out  every  stain  which  care 
Or  sin  hath  left  corroding  there, — 
Oh !  why  will  it  again  return 
To  drink  from  the  polluted  urn, 
With  which  guilty  pleasures  allure 
The  bosoms  thus,  once,  rendered  pure. 


This  lovely  scene  has  passed  away, 
And  the  last  tints  of  dying  day 
Are  fading  from  the  western  skies, — 
When  MO-NING-WUN-AH,  there  arise 
Along  thy  shores  a  voice's  wail, 
Whose  accents  through  thy  lovely  vale 
All  sorrowful  and  plaintive  spread  ; — 
It  is  the  wailing  for  the  dead.     (I9) 
When  the  light  barks,  the  rest  that  bore, 


52  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

Passed  rapidly  upon  thy  shore, 

A  maiden  band  was  there  to  find 

If  brother,  lover,  stayed  behind  ; 

And  as  they  found  them  there,  or  not, 

"With  joy  or  grief  they  left  the  spot , — 

And  now  when  the  faint  twilight  spreads 

Its  sombre  veil  above  their  heads, 

The  voice  of  mother,  sister,  bride, 

Is  mingled  in  the  plaintive  tide, 

For  those  they  may  not  greet  again, 

Who  sleeps  upon  the  battle  plain. 

But  one  was  there  from  whose  distressed 

And  deeply  agitated  breast 

No  wailings  flowed ; — she  could  not  weep, — 

Her  agony  was  all  too  deep. 

ME-ME,  fair  child  of  light  and  love  !   (20) 

Lovely  and  beautiful  above 

All  earthly  power  to  describe, 

In  the  soft  language  of  her  tribe.     (21) 

She  had  most  fittingly  been  styled 

The  DOVE,  so  innocent  and  mild 

The  feelings  nature  had  impressed 

Upon  her  bright  and  sinless  breast. 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  53 

No  thought  which  did  not  breathe  of  Heaven 

Had  ever  to  her  heart  been  given, — 

No  passion  angels  might  not  own 

Had  ever  in  her  dark  eyes  shone, — 

But  all  was  hallowed,  pure  and  bright 

As  heaven's  own  celestial  light. 

The  form  that  held  that  soul  encased 

So  sinless,  was  the  no  less  graced 

"With  more  that  the  rapt  heart  ere  deemed 

Of  bright  when  it  most  fondly  dreamed. 

She  loved  with  all  the  power  of  such, 

To  love  when  tones  from  others  touch 

The  chords  which  with  responsive  thrill 

Vibrate  in  their  own  heart  until 

There  is  no  power  or  faculty 

Within  the  soul,  all  joyously 

"Which  doth  not  tremble  with  the  weight 

Of  feeling  which  it  hath  in  freight. 

Such  was  the  love,  so  pure,  so  deep, 

ME-GI-SI  from  its  mystic  sleep 

Had  wakened  never  more  to  rest, 

To  life  within  her  gentle  breast. 

Thev  loved  as  mortals  never  should — 


54  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

To  stake  the  whole  life  hath  of  gocrl 
Upon  one  cast,  and  see  that  fail, — 
0,  the  sad  tortures  which  assail 
The  trusting  heart !  and  ME-ME  felt 
Hers  with  this  bitter  anguish  melt, 
When  he  whose  smiles  alone  could  givo 
All  for  which  she  would  wish  to  live, 
Came  not,  and  as  she  deemed  no  more 
Would  roam  with  her  their  happy  shore. 

There  was  a  sweet  secluded  spot, 
A  gentle  point  which  slightly  shot 
With  sloping  bank  into  the  bay, 
Where  often  at  the  close  of  day, 
Apart  from  those  whose  noisy  mirth 
Had  in  it  all  too  much  of  earth 
For  pleasures  of  that  hallowed  kind 
Which  love  had  in  their  hearts  enshrined, 
She  and  ME-GI-SI  passed  the  hours 
In  weaving  garlands  of  bright  flowers, 
And  circling  with  love's  trembling  hand 
Around  their  brows  the  fragrant  band, 
Or  breathing  to  each  other's  ear 
The  tender  words  they  loved  to  hear, — 


THE    OJTBWAY    CONQUEST.  55 

He  with  a  deep  and  noble  feeling 
His  passion's  fervent  strength  revealing, — 
While  she  with  less  of  words  perchance, 
But  with  a  bright,  enrapturing  glance 
From  her  full  eyes  responsive  turned, 
To  all  that  in  his  own  heart  burned  ; 
Or  leaning  fondly  on  his  breast, 
She  sung  the  dying  day  to  rest. 

Now,  while  with  melancholy  swell 
The  dirge  upon  the  night  air  fell, 
She  sought  this  spot,  and,  seated  there, 

Upon  her  hands  she  bowed  her  fair 

And  gentle  face,  o'er  which  was  spread 

The  marble  paleness  of  the  dead. 

Ah  !    ME-ME  !  none  can  ever  know 

The  full  extent  of  that  deep  woe 

Which  wrung  thy  heart,  until  the  hour 

When  they,  like  thee,  have  felt  its  power 
While  thus  she  sat,  a  bark  appeared, 

And  to  this  spot  its  swift  course  steered. — 

A  moment,  and  its  prow  was  fast 

Upon  the  shore,  and  from  it  passed 

A  tall  and  nobie  youth,  who  went 


56  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

With  gentle  steps  and  slowly  bent 

In  saddened  fondness  by  her  side. 

She  saw  him  not  ;  for  sorrow's  tide 

Had  swept  across  her  heart  until 

Her  senses  sank  beneath  its  chill. 

But  when  her  name  he  fondly  spoke, 

She  raised  her  head — "  ME-GI-SI"  broke 

In  joyful  accents,  as  she  sprung 

And  round  his  neck  in  transport  clung. 

The  sudden  joy  his  presence  brought 

Upon  her  heart  so  overwrought, 

Her  consciousness  fled  with  the  shock, 

And  now  like  ivy  to  the  rock 

She  lay  in  sweet,  unconscious  rest, 

Entwined  around  her  lover's  breast. 

And  when  at  length  her  eyes  unclosed 

To  his,  on  whose  breast  she  reposed, 

The  look  was  all  so  mild  and  sweet 

With  which  those  eyes  her  lover's  greet, 

As  though  their  light  beamed  from  a  soul 

Into  which  Heaven's  sunshine  stole. 

"  To  what  a  fearful  weight  of  grief 

Beloved,  thou  hast  brought  relief!" 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  57 

Thus  she  began,  "  I  ask  not  what 

The  reasons  why  thou  earnest  not, 

When  others  of  our  tribe  returned, 

From  whom  the  fearful  tale  I  learned 

That  thou  hadst  fall'n  beneath  the  art 

Of  one  of  those  of  icy  heart, — 

Once  in  the  power  of  whose  dread  spell 

None  e'er  returned  his  fate  to  tell. 

It  is  enough  for  my  glad  heart 

To  know  that  here  again  thou  art, — 

That  oft  in  this,  our  loved  retreat, 

With  gladsome  hearts,  we  yet  may  meet, — 

To  tell  o'er  and  o'er  to  thee 

How  very  dear  thou  art  to  me, — 

And  thou  to  fold  me  to  thy  breast, 

And  say  'thou  art  in  that  love  blest.' 

0  !  when  we  meet  at  times  like  this, 

It  seems  as  though  the  whole  of  bliss 

Which  ever  in  the  bright  world  shone, 

Gathers  in  my  poor  heart  alone  ! 

To  gaze,  in  fondness  on  thy  brow, 

And  feel  thy  heart,  as  I  do  now, 

Beneath  my  own  so  wildly  beat, — 


55  THE    O  JIB  WAY    CONQUEST. 

To  hear  thy  words  so  soft  and  sweet 

Call  me,  as  oft  they  do,  thy  bride, 

0  !  what  hath  earth  to  give  beside  ! 

"When  will  the  war-cry  cease  to  grieve 

My  heart,  because  it  bids  thee  leave  ; 

While  I  an  hundred  times  a  day 

Come  to  this  lovely  spot  to  pray, 

Until  it  seems  my  heart  would  break 

To  the  Great  Spirit  for  thy  sake. 

Say,  must  thou  yet  again  expose 

Thy  life  among  those  cruel  foes, 

The  fearful  Sioux  ? — but  ah,  love  !  why 

Breaks  from  thy  bosom  that  deep  sigh  ? 

Has  thy  heart  any  care  ?  ah,  say, 

And  let  me  kiss  that  care  away," 

She  said,  and  with  her  fingers  fair 

She  brushed  away  the  raven  hair 

Which  o'er  his  forehead  clustering  strayod, 

And  then  upon  his  brow  she  laid 

Her  gentle  lips.     ME-GI-SI  felt 

His  purpose  almost  in  him  melt, 

And  for  a  moment  he  forgot 

His  sad,  inexorable  lot, 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  59 

So  sweet  the  thrill  that  kiss  had  sent 

Through  his  sad  heart ;  but  when  he  bent 

His  eyes  upon  her  lovely  face, 

And  saw  how  deep  and  pure  the  trace 

Of  trusting  love  in  every  look, 

His  bosom  heaved,  and  his  soul  shook 

"With  the  intensity  of  pain 

Its  breaking  chords  had  to  sustain, 

As  rushing  thoughts  again  impress 

The  withering,  blighting  consciousness 

That  he  no  more  upon  that  smile 

Which  had  such  power  to  beguile, 

Could  in  the  bliss  of  former  days 

Fix  his  full  soul's  adoring  gaze. 

Alas  !  he  knew  the  dream  was  past, 

And  this  fond  look  must  be  his  last. 

He  knew  that  should  those  eyes  beam  yet 

When  he  was  gone,  as  when  they  met, 

He  could  not,  must  not,  from  the  sight 

Receive,  as  he  had  done,  delight. 

He  knew  if  yet  that  cheek  should  wear 

The  hallowed  smiles  which  now  were  there, 

The  thrills  of  rapture  they  impart 


60  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST, 

Must  fall  upon  another's  heart. 

If  those  eyes  beam!  If  that  cheek  glow  ! 

Alas  !  He  doth  too  sadly  know, 

His  presence  only  can  awake 

Those  smiles  which  beam  but  for  his  sake.— 

That  he  alone  can  give  the  light 

"Without  which  they  will  sink  in  night. 

'Twas  this  which  gave  the  deadliest  sting 

To  all  his  soul  was  suffering. 

If  he  alone  might  meet  the  blow, 

And  his  heart  only  feel  the  woe, — 

If  on  his  own  the  blight  might  rest, 

And  leave  unscathed  her  tender  breast. 

He  could  sustain  the  scathing  stroke, 

And  firmly  meet  it  like  the  oak 

Whose  trunk  lightning  indeed  misrht  break, 

O  o  O 

But  whose  firm  roots  they  could  not  shake 

But  that  the  misery  he  knew 

Should  tear  her  heart  asunder,  too  ! — 

0  !  that  was  torture  all  too  deep  ; 

He  felt  these  thoughts  in  tumult  sweep 

Across  his  brain, — and  when  at  length 

A  powerful  effort  called  the  strength 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  6l 

Into  his  prostrate  breast  again, 

And  he  so  far  o'ercame  its  pain 

As  to,  in  broken  words,  relate 

The  tale  he  knew  must  seal  their  fate. 

It  was  with  accents  so  subdued, 

In  spite  of  all  his  fortitude, 

As  though  at  every  word  he  spoke 

A  chord  within  his  sad  heart  broke. — 

"  Ah !  ME-ME,  thou  hast  been  and  art 

The  sparkling  dew-drop  of  my  heart, 

Beneath  whose  brightness  I  have  felt 

In  that  of  love  all  feelings  melt  ; — 

0,  'twas  a  glorious  dream  that  stole 

So  sweetly,  purely  o'er  my  soul  : — 

I  did  not  deern  that  I  should  wake 

To  see  my  heart  with  that  dream  break. 

But,  ME-ME,  that  bright  dream  is  fled  : — 

Like  the  cold  fingers  of  the  dead, 

I  feel  its  dead  joys  o'er  my  breast 

In  icy  suffocation  pressed. 

0,  what  but  thee  and  this  dear  spot 

Would  I  not  give  could  I  but  blot 

From  memory  all  that  hath  passed 


62  THE    O  JIB  WAY    CONQUEST. 

Since  in  this  bower  we  parted  last. 
I've  struggled,  but  it  is  in  vain  ; 
The  fire  is  in  my  heart  and  brain, 
And  will  not  cease  its  torturing  strife 
Until  extinguished  with  my  life. 
Thou  knowest  the  totem  I  have  borne 
Is  not  such  as  by  thy  tribe  worn ; — 
That  we,  unknowing  what  its  name, 
Have  often  wondered  how  it  came 
That  I  alone  have  worn  a  crest 
Differing  so  strangely  from  the  rest. 
'Tis  strange  no  more ;  the  battle-field 
The  mystery  hath  at  length  revealed, 
And  thy  fond  lover  hath  his  sire 
Among  the  foe  whom  thy  tribe's  ire 
Hath  driven  from  their  native  land, 
A  scattered  but  unconquered  band. 
Yes,  ME-ME,  I  am  one  of  those, 
Thy  nation's  fiercest,  deadliest  foes, 
"Whom,  but  a  moment  since,  so  true 
Thou  didst  well  term  the  fearful  Sioux. 
Fearful  they  are,  and  will  be  yet, 
To  those  who  shall  their  path  beset. 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.          *•  63 

Thou  knowest  between  this  tribe  of  thine 

And  that  which  henceforth  must  be  mine 

Exists  a  hatred  strong  as  death, 

Resigned  not  even  with  their  breath. 

Judge,  then,  if  they  could  e'en  abide 

To  see  the  dove  the  eagle's  bride. 

Alas  !  ME-ME,  it  may  not  be, 

And  were  it  not,  my  love,  for  thee, 

I  could  rejoice  that  my  firm  nerve 

To  direful  vengeance  yet  might  serve, 

For  her  whose  soft  and  gentle  lays 

Were  carolled  to  my  infant  days, 

But  whom  the  Ojibway  beguiled, 

And  robbed  at  once  of  wife  and  child  ; — 

And  I  have  sworn  my  soul  to  give 

To  retribution  while  I  live  ; — 

But  short  the  moments  that  remain 

Before  that  vow  will  be  in  vain. — 

To-morrow's  sun  will  see  its  beam 

Flashed  back  in  many  a  war-knife's  gleam, 

And  yonder  waters  on  whose  breast 

The  moonbeams  now  so  sweetly  rest, 

Shall  drink  before  the  day  shall  close, 


64  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

The  mingled  blood  of  warring  foes. 
And  I  shall  be  amidst  the  strife, — 
But  not  as  erst,  against  the  life 
Of  sire  and  kindred  warrior,  no, — 
My  arm  must  find  more  fitting  foe. 
Something  forewarns  me  that  my  blood 
Shall  mingle  with  to-morrow's  flood  ; — 
I  feel  it  now  within  my  heart. — 
To-night,  for  the  last  time,  we  part ; 
And  yonder  stars  which  shine  so  bright, 
When  they  come  not  another  night, 
Will  look  upon  my  bleeding  form 
No  longer  with  life's  pulses  warm, 
And  that  brow,  cold,  and  damp  in  death, 
So  lately  hallowed  by  thy  breath. 
But  let  it  come  !     Why  should  I  live 
When  life  hath  nothing  now  to  give 
But  blighted  hopes  and  vain  regrets  ; 
And  every  lingering  sun  that  sets 
Adds  only  to  the  bitter  store 
With  which  the  heart  was  charged  before. 
Yet  0,  how  happy  !  were  it  not 
That  this  inexorable  lot 


THE    OJ1BWAY    CONQUEST. 

Hath  interposed  its  withering  blight 
Between  my  heart  and  all  that's  bright, — 
How  happy  to  observe  each  day 
Beneath  thy  sweet  smile  pass  away, 
To  feel  thy  warm  breath  on  my  cheek, 
To  see  thee,  love  thee,  hear  thee  speak, — 
And  shield  thy  tender  heart  from  all 
Which  on  it  might  too  rudely  fall. 
Bright  picture  of  our  former  days, 
But  one  on  which  I  must  not  gaze, — 
I've  braved  both  friends'  and  foemen's  power 
For  the  enjoyment  of  this  hour, — 
To  bathe  my  soul  once  more  in  light, 
Ere  it  sink  into  endless  night." 

He  paused,  and  closer  to  his  breast 
The  maiden's  form  he  wildly  pressed, 
As  if  that  pressure  could  keep  under 
A  heart  which  else  would  burst  asunder. 
And  there  they  stood,  that  hapless  pair, 
The  victim  each  of  mute  despair  ; — 
Yet  how  exalted,  noble,  pure, 
The  anguish  which  their  souls  endure  ! — 
"When  the  full  bosom  swells  like  this 


66  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

With  feelings  boundless,  fathomless, 

There's  something  so  exalted  there, 

That  e'en  though  springing  from  despair, 

The  heart  would  scarce  desire  repose 

If  purchased  at  the  life  of  those. 

Sensations  vague  and  undefined 

Had  agitated  ME-JIE'S  mind 

When  first,  ME-GI-SI'S  words  conveyed 

The  destiny  o'er  them  weighed, — 

But  when  at  length,  she  knew  the  worst, 

And  the  full  truth  upon  her  burst, 

A  pang  shot  through  her  heart  and  brain, 

Bat  one, — and  all  was  calm  again  ; 

But  with  that  pang  had  fled  all  sense 

Of  pain  or  woe  forever  hence. 

'Twas  so  intense  no  other  grief 

Could  wake  a  throe,  however  brief, — 

And  then  a  holy  calmness  came, 

Succeeded  to  the  passioned  flame, 

Y/hich  had  so  brightly,  till  that  hour. 

Maintained  within  her  breast  its  power. 

It  was  a  calmness  which  had  birth 

In  the  conviction  that  the  earth 


THE    OJlBWAY    CONQUEST.  67 

With  all  its  pleasure,  all  its  sweet, 

Had  nothing  which  could  ever  cheat, 

Even  for  one  brief  moment's  flight, 

The  sadness  of  her  bosom's  blight. 

All  tranquilly  she  raised  her  head, 

Drooping  like  lily,  o'er  its  bed, 

And  gently  loosed  her  from  the  clasp 

Convulsive  of  her  lover's  grasp, 

And  spoke  with  look  so  calm  and  mild 

It  might  almost  be  said  she  smiled, 

But  such  a  smile,  as  one  might  trace 

Upon  the  cold  and  marble  face 

Of  one  whose  spirit  had  just  riven 

The  bonds  which  checked  its  flight  to  heaven. — 

"  ME-GI-SI,  0  how  glad  would  I 

Lay  this  poor  body  down  to  die, 

Could  it  but  brin^  a^ain  to  thine 

O         O 

The  joy  that  can  no  more  be  mine. 
Let  not  thy  ME-ME'S  broken  heart 
One  sorrow  to  thine  own  impart ; 
0,  no,  but  go,  forget,  that  we 
Have  ever  loved  so  trustfully. — 
Thy  duty  calls,  then  be  it  so, 


68  THE    0  JIB  WAY    CONQUEST. 

And  let  no  thought  of  me  e'er  throw 
Across  thy  breast  a  single  cloud 
The  sunshine  of  its  peace  to  shroud. 
"What  though  this  fate  shall  blight  my  powers 
Like  early  frosts,  the  gladsome  flowers, 
And  my  poor  body  find  its  rest 
Full  soon,  upon  the  earth's  cold  breast  ? — 
My  spirit  still  shall  hover  near  thee, 
And  this,  its  only  thought  to  cheer  thee, 
And  pour  most  fondly  into  thine 
The  light  which  in  itself  shall  shino. 
Yes,  go,  forget  that  we  have  met, 
Or  if  thou  canst  not  all  forget, 
Think  of  it  as  a  dream  which  stole 
In  night's  calm  hours  into  thy  soul, 
"Whose  memory  perchance  may  cling 
Around  thy  softened  heart  and  fling 
A  shade  of  sadness  which  you  may 
Not  altogether  dash  away, 
But  which  thou  shouldst  not  let  control 
The  strength  and  bravery  of  thy  soul. — 
No,  if  thou  canst  not  banish  all. 
And  memory  will,  at  times  recall 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  69 

The  gladsome  hours  our  hearts  have  known, 
Thrilled  by  each  other's  look  and  tone, 
There  let  thy  fond  thoughts  only  dwell 
On  this,  thy  ME-ME  loved  thee  well, 
And  only  look  on  those  sweet  hour? 
As  thou  would'st  look  on  lovely  flowers, 
From  which  the  freshness  might  be  fled, 
But  which,  though  withered,  yet  would  shed 
Their  fragrance  sweet  as  when  their  hue 
Was  heightened  by  the  night's  soft  dew. 
0  !  let  me  deem  that  thus  thy  heart 
Will  look  on  me,  and  I  can  part 
With  one  less  pang  from  all  those  bright 
And  happy  dreams  which  take  their  flight, 
Till  on  the  far-off  spirit-shore 
We  meet  again  to  part  no  more." 

0,  Love  !     How  hallowed,  noble,  pure, 
The  feeling  which  thou  dost  secure 
Unto  the  breast  where  thou  dost  deign 
To  institute  thy  perfect  reign  ! 
When  touched  by  thee.  how  all  the  dross 
Of  earthly  passions,  which  so  toss 
And  heave  their  billows  o'er  the  soul 


70  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

Before  it  hath  felt  thy  control, — 

By  thy  strong  alchemy  expelled. 

Yields  up  the  places  it  hath  held, 

And  all  that  finds  acceptance  there 

Is  hallowed  as  the  breath  of  prayer, — 

And  ME-ME,  though  despair's  cold  breath 

Had  sent  the  icy  chill  of  death 

Over  her  bosom's  tender  chords, 

Yet  even  then  her  love  found  words, 

She  fondly  hoped  might  interpose 

A  power  to  sooth  her  lover's  woes. 

But  vain  !     The  love  which  thus  could  make 

Such  sacrifices,  for  his  sake, 

Had  kindled  in  his  heart  the  same 

Self-sacrificing,  generous  flame, — 

And  when  his  quick  sense  caught  this  new 

And  last  fond  proof  of  love  so  true, 

And  saw  and  felt  himself  how  much 

The  purpose  cost  which  made  it  such, 

And  gazed  upon  her  standing  there 

So  droopingly  and  yet  so  fair, 

It  was  too  much, — he  could  not  brook 

That  quiet  and  heart-stricken  look. 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  71 

He  caught  her  up  and  wildly  pressed 
The  blighted  lily  to  his  breast, 
And  for  a  moment  yielded  all 
His  heart  and  soul  to  love's  fond  call, 
Resolved  to  brave  scorn,  torture,  death, 
To  save  that  gentle  heart  from  scath. 
Fond  dreamer,  up !  away  !  away  ! 
Death  and  dishonor  if  you  stay, — 
But  death  and  honor  if  you  go — 
Away  !  to  meet  your  country's  foe  ! 
A  moment,  and  he  felt  it  true, — 
No  word  broke  forth  to  say  adieu, 
But  one  long  burning  kiss  he  gave 
Upon  that  brow  he  could  not  save, — 
Then  turned  and  wildly  rushed  again, 
With  wildered  sense  and  maddened  brain, 
To  where  his  light  bark  floating  lay, 
And  o'er  the  waters  shot  his  way. 


IX. 

THE     LAST    BATTLE. 

'Tis  noon  again.     The  sun's  warm  beam 
Is  gleaming  brightly  o'er  the  stream, 
Which,  with  a  current  calm  and  slow, 
Bears  on  its  breast  the  stealthy  foe, 
Within  their  light  barks  noiselessly  ; 
Who  now  have  paused  a  moment  by 
Its  entrance  to  the  crystal  bay, 
Opposed  to  where  the  islands  lay. 
A  few  brief  words,  to  nerve  their  breast, 
The  WEN-DI-GO  to  each  addressed, 
With  promises  of  bravery's  meed, 
Shouid  they  in  that  day's  strife  succeed, 
And  meed  to  warrior's  heart  more  sweet,  (2i) 
Which  in  the  spirit-land  should  greet 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  73 

Their  souls,  should  death  their  path  beset, 

And  when  it  came,  be  bravely  met. 

These  said — his  bark,  whose  prow  displayed 

A  feathery  pennon's  varying  shade, 

Shot  from  among  the  rest,  and  led 

The  way  around  a  woodland  head 

Which  had  the  bay  and  isles  concealed. — 

And  now  before  them  lay  revealed 

The  scenes  whose  memory  around 

Their  warmest  feelings  long  had  wound, 

And  where  so  soon  they  must  decide 

If  once  again  they  shall  abide 

Within  their  quiet  spell,  or  whether 

They  and  this  last  hope  die  together. 

As  the  last  bark  in  that  array 

Came  out  upon  the  open  bay 

And  caught  the  view, — a  moment's  pause 

Ran  through  the  whole,  while  each  one  draws 

A  smothered  breath  and  drops  a  prayer 

For  the  Great  Spirit's  guardian  care  ; — 

Then  with  a  shout  of  curses  dread 

To  gather  upon  foemen's  head, 

By  their  strong  arms  each  light  bark  there 


74  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

Sped  onwards  like  a  thing  of  air, — 

And  should  no  foemen  check  their  speed, 

Short  were  the  moments  that  they  need 

Ere  they  shall  rest  their  glancing  oar 

Upon  the  nearest  island's  shore, 

Where  o'er  the  green  and  shady  strand 

The  lodges  of  Ojibway  stand, 

Beneath  whose  shady  folds  repose, 

Unconscious  of  approaching  foes, 

The  chiefs  and  warriors,  but  with  spear, 

And  bow,  and  war-club  lying  near, 

Ready,  upon  the  first  alarm. 

To  be  resumed  with  sturdy  arm. 

The  foremost  of  the  barks  hath  now 

Almost  upon  the  shore  its  prow, 

When  sudden  from  the  Ojibway 's  rang 

The  war-cry's  blast,  and,  with  it  sprang 

Each  warrior  there  upon  his  feet 

With  answering  shout,  and  rushed  to  meet, 

In  strife  too  wild  and  dark  for  name, 

The  foe  that  thus  upon  them  came. 

Then  grappled  each  his  nearest  foe, 

Nor  yielded  either  till  the  blow 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  75 

Which  drank  life's  latest  current  well, 
Left  him  all  lifeless  where  he  fell. 
But  vain  the  strife, — though  for  each  Sioux 
There  perished  of  his  foemen  two, — 
There  lived  but  two  of  that  brave  band 
To  track  through  foes  their  way  to  land. — 
ME-GI-SI  and  the  WEX-DI-GO, 
Around  whom  fell  at  every  blow 
Victims  to  their  resistless  strength, 
Had  fought  their  bloody  way  at  length 
Upon  the  beach,  and  there  they  stood 
Alone,  unconquered,  unsubdued, — 
Keeping,  like  lions  fierce,  at  bay 
Surrounding  foemen's  whole  array, 
Or  those  who  were  upon  them  rushing, 
In  ghastly  heaps  around  them  crushing. 
Maddened  to  see  the  slaughtering  tide 
And  feel  their  power  thus  defied, — 
Shame  to  their  courage  adding  wing, 
The  Ojibways  upon  them  spring 
Like  famished  wolves  upon  the  prey 
That  chance  hath  thrown  within  their  way, 
And  sire  and  son  are  borne  beneath, — 


76  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

Their  flesh  an  hundred  weapons  sheath  ; 

And  when  the  rushing  crowd  gave  place, 

Within  ME-GI-SI'S  breast  all  trace 

Of  life  with  all  its  pains  had  fled, — 

Mangled  he  lay  among  the  dead  ! 

But  from  beneath  their  raining  blows 

The  WEN-DI-GO  again  arose, 

And  dashing  off,  as  things  of  naught, 

Those  who  to  stop  his  progress  sought, 

One  thrilling  yell  of  scorn  he  gave, 

Then  plunged  beneath  the  blood-dyed  wave. — 

They  saw  no  more, — and  whether  then 

His  spirit  passed,  or  if  again, 

Concealed  by  magic  from  the  view 

He  living  rose,  none  ever  knew  ; 

Still  they  believe,  amid  the  dirge 

Of  winter's  winds  and  water's  surge, 

Or  in  the  tempest's  blasting  hour, 

They  hear  his  voice  and  feel  his  power, — 

And  even  upon  summer's  night, 

When  winds  are  hushed  and  stars  are  bright, 

They  sometimes  see  his  shadow  pass 

Slowly  along  the  moon-lit  grass, — 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  77 

And  then  with  bloodless  lips  they  tell 
Of  some  mischance  they  know  full  well 
To  fall  on  whom  the  spirit's  eye 
Grlanced  angrily  as  it  passed  by. 


THE     REQUIEM. 

THE  eve  that  gathered  o'er  the  water, 

Yet  crimson  with  the  recent  slaughter, 

Came  slowly,  beautifully  on  ; 

And  when  its  last  faint  hues  were  gone, 

Shadowed  in  the  embrace  of  night, 

The  moon  and  stars  looked  down  as  bright 

As  though  no  scenes  of  carnage  lay 

Where  now  their  beams  so  sweetly  stray. 

Chance  led  at  this  delightful  hour 

A  band  of  maidens  to  the  bower 

Where  ME-ME  and  her  lover  parted 

The  night  before  so  broken  hearted  ; 

And  there  upon  a  mossy  bed 

Lay  ME-ME,  silent,  cold,  and  dead. 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  79 

With  the  last  look  on  lover  cast, 

Her  gentle  spirit  sweetly  passed,-— 

And  now  she  lay  in  cold  death  sleeping, 

Their  watch,  the  wild  flowers  o'er  her  keeping, — 

And,  as  they  waved  with  the  soft  sigh 

Of  the  night  zephyrs  passing  by, 

Wept  dewy  tears  o'er  one  so  fair, 

Laying  like  blighted  rose-bud  there, 

And,  poured  the  fragrance  of  their  breath 

To  hallow  such  a  tristful  death. 

When  first  beheld,  the  maidens  deemed 

?Mid  flowers  and  moonbeam's  light  she  dreamed, 

But  when  they  gathered  near  and  felt, 

As  by  her  side  they  fondly  knelt, 

That  death's  rude  fingers  had  impressed 

Their  icy  touch  upon  her  breast, 

Stilling  each  throb  of  bliss  or  pain 

Beyond  the  power  to  beat  again, — 

A  wailing,  low,  like  sighing  tone 

Of  winds  when  through  the  trees  they  moan, 

While  all  around  beside  was  hushed, 

From  their  full  bosoms  sadly  gushed. 


80  THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST. 

"  Heart  of  our  hearts, — farewell,  farewell," — 
Thus  rose  the  dirge's  plaintive  swell,— 
"  Thou  wast  the  sunbeam,  spirit  given, 
But  softened  like  the  light  of  even, 
Within  our  darkened  bosoms  stealing, 
That  kissed  the  buds  of  happy  feeling, 
And  in  the  fragrant  breath  and  hue 
Of  sweetest  love  to  flowers  drew. 
0,  what  shall  keep  that  hue  so  fair, — 
0,  what  shall  keep  that  fragrance  there, — 
Their  warmth,  and  light,  with  thee  withdrawn. 
Their  hue  is  fled,  their  fragrance  gone. 
We  withered  where  our  sister  fell, — 
Heart  of  our  hearts, — farewell,  farewell." 

Ere  the  sad  tones  had  left  the  ear, 

An  airy  spirit  hovering  near, 

Caught  up  again  the  lingering  strains, 

And  in  such  music  as  enchains 

The  raptured  heart  in  childhood's  dreams. 

When  in  some  fairy  land  it  deems 

'Mid  bright  etherial  forms,  it  dwells, 

The  requiem  around  them  swells. 


THE    OJIBWAY    CONQUEST.  81 

{  There's  a  bower  prepared  in  the  land  of  the  blest, 
Where  the  young,  and  the  pure,  and  the  lovely  shall 

rest, 
Who  have  left  the  sad  earth,  where  the  tempests  that 

rushed 
O'er  their  sensitive  bosoms,  forever  are  hushed. 

0,  the  heart  of  the  dead  beat  too  warmly  for  earth, — 
Like  a  bird  in  the  far  sunny  south  that  had  birth, 
But  which  wandered  where  winds  from  the  northern 

sky  passed, 
Where  it  sung  one  sweet  strain,  then  sank  in  the 

blast. 

So  the  soul  that  once  dwelt  in  that  fair  form  of  clay, 
Over  which  you  now  weep,  that  it  thus  passed  away, 
Like  that  bird  hovered  near  you,  then  went  to  its  rest 
In  the  sweet  spirit  home,  in  the  land  of  the  west. 

Weep  not  that  her  spirit  thus  early  hath  fled, — 
That  spirit  still  lives,  though  the  body  be  dead  ; — 
It  lives  where  its  joys  pass  no  more  with  a  sigh, — 
It  lives  where  its  happiness  never  shall  die." 


NOTES. 


(')  "  It  is  a  kind  which  cloth  not  llight." 

In  the  north  and  north-west  there  is  a  kind  of  flower  which 
matures  late  in  the  fall,  and  still  blossoms  in  the  dead  of 
winter.  There  is  a  strange  contrast  between  its  snowy  bed 
and  its  delicate  hues.  In  spring  it  dies  with  the  snow,  and 
again  reappears  in  the  fall. 

(2)   "  From  dawn  till  twilight  paints,  $c." 

The  facility  to  endure  long  journeys  and  fatigues  has  long 
been  the  admiration  of  the  people  abroad.  Those  Indians 
who  lived  in  the  north  and  about  the  head  waters  of  Lake 
Superior,  are  an  active  and  the  most  energetic  race.  Long 
journeys  were  performed  in  times  of  war  ;  and  with  little  or 
no  rest  during  the  day  of  hunting.  One  would  hardly  credit 
the  feats  they  can  perform  in  the  dead  of  winter.  Over  hill 
and  down  ravines,  covered  with  snow,  they  make  their  snow- 
shoe  track.  Through  the  forest-world,  the  trees  heavily 
ladened  with  snow,  they  seek  the  game  ;  and  this  is  done  day 
after  day  through  the  period  of  life. 


84  NOTES. 

(3)  "  Thou  fair  St.  Louis!" 

There  must  ever  be  a  peculiar  interest  attached  to  the  St. 
Louis  river,  arising  from  the  consideration  that  it  is  the 
proper  source  of  that  mighty  chain  of  waters,  which,  after 
pouring  their  tiae  through  more  than  half  the  extent  of  the 
western  hemisphere,  at  last  discharge  themselves  in  the  Gulf 
of  St.  Lawrence,  where  they  mingle  with  and  are  lost  in  those 
of  the  Atlantic.  But  if  it  had  not  this  fact  to  draw  an 
interest  around  it,  the  character  of  the  river  itself  is  such  as 
to  leave  an  impression  upon  the  mind  of  one  who  has  glided 
upon  its  pure  waters  not  easily  to  be  forgotten.  The  variety 
of  its  scenery — the  beauty  of  its  evergreen  edges — the  rapid 
and  whirling  toss  of  its  waves,  and  the  high  cliffs  of  rocks, 
where  it  swells  its  maddening  roar  ; — all  this  can  be  seen  in 
the  St.  Louis  about  the  extreme  west  end  of  Lake  Superior, 
and  one  can  follow  it  up  through  its  various  windings,  now 
narrow,  and  then  widens  like  a  lake.  The  scenery  about  the 
head  of  Lake  Superior  is  picturesque  and  grand,  and  a  little 
way  up,  farther  on,  dashing  with  impetuous  fury  through  some 
narrow  and  rocky  passes,  or  over  falls,  from  whose  height  the 
beholder  becomes  dizzy  in  looking  down,  make  the  voyage  one 
of  continual  excitement  and  delight.  We  might  here  present 
a  more  minute  description  of  the  onward  windings  of  this 
river,  but  we  forbear  at  present,  believing  none  will  contra 
dict  us  when  we  say  it  is  not  less  in  grandeur  than  the 
scenery  on  the  North  River. 

(4)  "  Each  warrior  there  was  decked  with  these." 

There  is  no  time  in  which  an  Indian  brave  adorns  his  person 
with  so  much  care  as  when  going  to  war.  Here  the  warrior 
lays  aside  the  encumbering  articles  of  dress  worn  at  other 


NOTES.  85 

times,  and  only  wears  those  light,  and  yet,  often  extremely 
ornamental,  which,  without  confining  in  the  least  the  free  and 
easy  motion  of  every  limb,  exhibits  their  fine  forms  to  the 
best  posssible  advantage. 

(5)  "  From  feathers  of  the.  wild  bird's  wingj"* 

The  feather  flag  is  the  flag  which  was  and,  in  some  parts, 
is  yet  used.  The  feathers  of  the  rare  gray  eagle  are  knitted 
together  over  four  feet  long.  When  ready  for  war,  this  is 
stuck  in  the  centre  of  the  war-party,  while  now  and  then  the 
standard-bearer  waves  it,  while  the  rest  send  a  piercing  shout 
to  heaven. 

(6)  " amid  the  sound 

Of  drum,  and  song,  and  echoing  shout." 

The  drum  is  one  of  the  principle  instruments  we  used  in 
time  of  war  preparations,  and  at  all  times,  and  although  very 
unmusical  to  finer  ears  in  the  civilized  world,  is  by  us  held  in 
great  estimation.  It  is  made  by  tightly  stretching  a  piece  of 
deer-hido  over  a  hoop,  and  somewhat  resembles  a  tamborine. 
The  drum-stick  is  a  piece  of  wood  with  a  short  cross  at  one 
end,  with  which  the  drum  is  beaten. 

(7)  "  The  feats  of  bravery  lie  had  done.'1'1 

At  the  public  dances  of  our  nation  is  the  only  place  where 
any  one  can  boast  of  bravery,  and  it  is  not  expected  a  brave 
should  boast  at  all  times,  but  at  such  places,  of  their  exploits 
in  battle.  On  such  occasions  I  have  sat  to  listen  to  their 
bold  eloquence  and  graphic  descriptions,  until  my  own  breast 
irresistibly  caught  the  passionate  feelings  of  theirs. 


86  NOTES. 

(8)  "  Could  tear  those  shackles  from  his  flesh" 

I  would  not  like  to  hazard  the  assertion,  in  this  enlightened 
age,  that  there  is  such  a  thing  as  magic  or  supernatural' 
agency  among  the  Indians,  but  I  must  confess  myself  unable, 
as  all  have  done  who  have  witnessed  those  exhibitions,  tc 
account  for  satisfactorily  ; — one  of  those  Indians  who  pretends 
to  have  an  intercourse  with  spirits,  will  permit  himself  to  be 
bound  hands  and  feet,  then  wrapped  closely  in  a  blanket  or 
deer's  hide,  bound  around  his  whole  body  with  cords  and 
thongs,  as  long  and  as  tightly  as  the  incredulity  of  any  one 
present  may  see  fit  to  continue  the  operation,  after  which  he 
is  thrown  into  a  small  lodge.  He  begins  a  low,  unintelligible 
incantation  to  the  gods,  and  increases  in  rapidity  and  loud- 
ness  until  he  works  himself  up  into  a  great  pitch  of  seeming 
or  real  frenzy,  at  which  time,  usually  three  or  four  minutes 
after  being  put  in,  he  opens  the  lodge  and  throws  out  the 
thongs  and  hides  with  which  he  was  bound  without  a  single 
knot  being  untied  or  fold  displaced,  himself  sitting  calm  and 
free  on  the  ground.  Carver,  in  his  travels,  gives  a  curious 
and  interesting  account  of  an  exhibition  of  this  kind,  accom 
panied  with  a  prophecy,  which  was  astonishingly  fulfilled. 
Those  who  possess  this  art  pretend  that  a  spirit  comes  and 
relieves  them  from  their  bonds.  You  say  this  is  superstition. 
Much  of  the  same  kind  is  among  the  pale  faces.  I  believe 
the  Indians  had,  and  do  have,  mesmerism  among  them. 

(9)  "  The  Wen-di-go  of  icy  heart." 

This  Wen-di-go,  in  the  idea  of  the  Indians,  is  a  monster, 
who  lives  in  the  north  ; — a  supernatural  being,  who  roams 
about  the  earth  in  search  of  victims,  for  he  lives  on  human 
flesh.  He  is  represented  to  be  as  tall  as  the  pine  trees ;  a 


NOTES.  87 

whirlwind's  tread  is  heard  around  him  wherever  he  is. 
Frost  and  cold  are  his  companions.  He  is  devoid  of  feeling. 
"  Icy  heart."  It  is  believed  men  have  become  Wen-di-go's 
by  a  mysterious  process,  and  if  any  one  is  supposed  to  become 
one,  he  is  immediately  dispatched.  When  a  Wen-di-go  can 
be  killed,  it  is  only  done  by  men  who  are  supposed  to  have  a 
strong  arm,  or  an  array  of  favorites  from  the  spirits  to  aid 
them. 

(10)   "  Youth,  are  you  a  brave?" 

This  is  an  expression  we  use  in  challenging  one  another 
when  we  desire  to  engage  another  in  any  enterprise  which 
requires  the  exercise  of  his  attribute  of  the  mind.  When  any 
one  is  insulted  by  another,  he  immediately  calls  at  the  wigwam, 
and  in  looking  through  the  lodge,  asks  him  this  question,  and 
if  he  speaks  in  the  affirmative,  an  appeal  then  is  immediately 
made  to  their  relative  prowess.  If  he  does  not  so  answer,  he 
is  immediately  branded  as  an  old  "  woman,"  an  appellation 
for  all  cowards,  not  that  all  women  are  cowards,  for  some 
deal  in  cowhides  in  civilized  countries. 

(")   Ahpuckw ays  from  soft  rushes  wove." 

Ahpuckway  is  a  kind  of  mat  which  is  made  out  of  the 
blades  of  the  rush,  vulgarly  called  "  cattail,"  with  great 
skill,  for  the  purpose  of  covering  the  wigwams  of  the  natives. 
They  appear  at  a  distance,  light,  and  glisten  before  the  sun. 
These,  too,  they  make  mats  for  their  beds,  to  repose  upon  in 
the  night. 

(12)  "  Stood  like  an  oak.      The  thunder  bird 

Had  riven  at  the  spirits  word" 
Our  nation  believe  that  thunder  is  caused  by  a  large  bird 


88  NOTES. 

which  lives  so  far  up  in  the  sky  as  not  to  be  visible.  The 
noise  is  caused  by  the  motion  of  his  wings.  This  idea,  no 
doubt,  they  received  from  the  drumming  of  the  pheasant, 
which  so  nearly  resembles  distant  thunder.  The  lio-htninrr 

•/  O  C5 

they  imagine  the  opening  and  shutting  of  the  bird's  eye  ; — 
and  its  fierceness  is  sometimes  so  fearful  and  keen  as  to  ignite 
the  object  on  which  it  falls.  This  happens  when  fire  follows 
a  stroke  of  lightning.  Whenever  lightning  strikes  an  object, 
they  think  that  the  bird  shoots  from  its  eye  a  small  round 
stone,  which  produces  the  effect ;  and  assure  you  that  if  you 
will  dig  and  examine  where  the  lightning  enters  the  ground, 
this  stone  will  be,  and  has  been,  found. 

(13)  a  IftHiere  wander  skadoics  of  the  dead 

By  the,  dim  light  aurora  shed." 

The  Indians,  unable  to  account  for  the  various  phenomenas 
of  nature,  have  associated  with  most  of  them  some  curious 
superstition.  The  aurora  borealis  they  believe  shines  to 
illuminate  the  pastime  of  the  disembodied  spirits,  when,  in 
the  shadowy  land,  they  gather  in  the  chase,  or  mingle  in  the 
dances,  with  which  they  amuse  themselves. 

O-ge-chog  means  shadow,  and  when  applied  to  man,  we 
say,  in  reference  to  his  soul,  his  shadow  ; — the  reality  of  such 
attribute  they  see,  yet  cannot  feel. 

(14)  "  Our  totem  on  our  little  loy." 

Among  the  Indians  each  family  is  designated  by  some 
distinguished  badge  or  crest,  such  as  the  figure  of  a  swan, 
deer,  crane,  eagle,  bear,  otter,  or  moose.  This  emblem  we 
call  a  totem.  The  laws  relative  to  it  are  somewhat  curious. 
It  is  not  permitted  for  a  male  and  female  to  intermarry  whose 


NOTES.  89 

f  otem  happens  to  be  the  same  ;  they  are  all  considered  as 
Brother  and  sister.  In  adopting  or  inheriting  their  totem 
unong  the  children,  the  boys  and  girls  take  that  of  their 
-ather,  and  sometimes  the  girls  can  only  take  that  of  their 
nother.  This  is  only  true,  as  to  the  different  other  nations. 

(r)  "  Sweet  as  the  swanks  expiring  notes." 

Though  this  is  a  common-place  allusion,  yet,  the  lakes 
ibout  the  country  where  the  scenes  are  we  speak  of,  are 
ailed  with  wild  fowl,  and  among  which  is  the  most  graceful  of 
.ill  birds,  the  swan. 


(lc)  "  Thou  shadowy  spirit,  for  whose 

Like  all  unenlightened  nations,  our  nation  have  many 
oxtremely  superstitious  notions.  They  believe  the  visitation 
of  the  souls  of  their  departed  friends  not  often  to  be  visible 
with  a  natural,  body,  but  they  hear  them  in  some  way,  —  by 
the  sighing  of  the  winds,  the  hum  of  creation,  or  fancy  they 
•ide  on  the  fleecy  clouds  of  an  evening  sky. 

(l7)  "  Till  shadows  both,  again  we  meet.'''' 

Some  of  the  ideas  in  reference  to  the  immortality  of  the 
;oul  they  represent  under  the  idea  of  a  shadow.  Their  ex 
planation  which  they  generally  give  of  the  reason  why  they 
oury  their  dead  with  weapons  of  hunting  and  war,  food,  and 
ipparel,  is  so  curious  and  ingenious  that  we  cannot  help 
•elating  it  The  Indian  is  asked  why  he  does  this.  His 
•cply  is,  that  the  shadow  of  the  body  has  left  for  the  distant 
A^est  ;  —  that  the  soul  needs  the  shadow  of  these  articles, 
ind  not  the  material.  The  shadow  of  these  things  serves  to 
the  soul  as  they  did  to  the  body  while  living. 


90  NOTES. 

(18)  u  Many  a  lodge,  whose  bark  so  white" 

The  lodges  are  made  by  poles  stuck  in  the  ground,  and 
these  meet  at  the  ends,  which,  in  meeting,  lap  over  and  are 
tied,  and  these  are  covered  with  the  white  birch.  This  kind 
of  bark  is  so  white  that  when  many  are  seen  at  a  distance 
they  appear  as  though  there  were  more  than  what  is  really 
the  number. 

This  bark  is  used  for  almost  every  purpose.  We  cover  our 
wigwams  with  it — make  our  canoes — vessels  for  water,  and 
the  dishes  we  used  to  eat  out  of.  Fancy  work-boxes  are  made 
out  of  this  material.  Our  songs  of  war,  triumphs,  and 
traditions,  are  recorded  on  this  bark. 

One  Indian  family  often  have  five  thousand,  six  thousand, 
eight  thousand,  and  ten  thousand  dishes,  to  gather  sap  from 
the  noble  trees,  in  the  spring,  and  the  bark  holds  the  sugar 
which  has  been  made. 

(19)  "  It  is  the  wailing  for  the  dead." 

The  evening  is  always  the  time  the  friends  of  the  deceased 
collect  around  their  graves,  and  sing  a  low,  wailing  sound  of 
the  voice.  Often,  by  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  we  have 
heard  the  Ojibway  sing  the  death-song,  and  the  voice  seems 
to  creep  over  the  distant  hills,  which  sound,  they  believe,  aids 
the  soul  in  travelling  to  the  distant  west.  When  the  shadows 
of  the  red  races  collect  from  the  valleys  of  that  Happy  Land, 
they  send  their  echoing  shouts  to  each  other  from  hill  to  hill. 

(20)  "  Me-me^fair  child  of  light  and  love." 

This  is  one  of  the  most  harmless  of  birds,  which  you  call 
dove.  A  beautiful  legend  is  told  to  the  children,  of  this  bird, 


NOTES. 


91 


when  in  flocks  they  return  from  the  north  in  the  spring,  in 
the  wigwam. 

(21)  "  In  the  soft  language  of  her  tribe." 

Travellers  have  found  the  language  of  the  Ojibway  to  be 
very  musical,  and  at  the  same  time  to  be  one  of  the  most 
noble  in  America.  This  is  susceptible  of  expressing  the 
nicest  shade  of  thought  by  endless  modifications  of  the  verb. 
The  language  of  the  nation  has  justly  been  called  the  "  Greek 
of  America." 

(--)  u  And  meed  to  warrior^s  heart  more  sweet." 
In  the  idea  of  the  Indian,  bravery  is  the  key  that  unlocks 
the  entrance  to  the  most  exalted  joys  of  the  Great  West,  or 
future  state.  The  peaceful  and  Christian  virtue  of  humanity, 
forgiveness,  and  benevolence,  are  powerless  to  open  the  gates 
of  an  Indian's  Paradise. 

Things  have  changed,  and  now  it  is  otherwise.  Once,  the 
Indian  brave  adored  the  man  who  recognized  him  as  a  noble 
warrior  ;  yet,  however  he  may  now  admire  that  quality  in 
man,  it  has  been  so  refined  by  education,  he  yet  loves  to 
exhibit  that  manliness  which  exalts  and  ennobles  man. 
Never  will  a  true  Indian  stoop  to  low  cunning  and  meanness 
which  characterizes  the  higher  state  of  pretended  civilized 
life  of  other  nations. 

One  of  the  greatest  reasons  which  has  made  the  pale  face 
desist  in  his  endeavors  to  civilize  the  Indian,  is  because  he 
could  not  subdue  the  high  state  of  noble  independence  in 
him,  as  though  it  was  necessary  that  his  spirit  was  to  be 
subdued  first,  before  he  could  be  taught  the  noble  spirit  of 
Christian  morals. 


GENERAL  LIBRARY  -  U.C. 

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